Surname Cokburne - Meaning and Origin

Cokburne: What does the surname Cokburne mean?

The last name Cokburne is generally thought to be of Scottish origin. It is a locational name, derived from either Cockburn or Coburne, composites of the Old English elements cok meaning "cock," and burna, which means "stream." It might also be derived from the place names Cockburnspath or Coburne in the Scottish Borders.

The surname Cokburne appears to have been first recorded in Scotland in 1169, when Richard de Coburna was granted lands in Tweeddale. By the 16th century, it was commonplace throughout Scotland, and can now be found in locations around the world.

The name Cokburne has been passed down through several generations; one possibility is that the original family may have owned the land and the stream or small river running through it or near it. Thus, the source of the name may refer to a family's ancestral home or settling by a "stream of a cock."

Over time, the spelling of Cokburne has varied, with several variations still in use today. These include Cockburn, Coburn, Coburne, Coburns and, of course, Cokburne. The commonality among them is that they all refer to a person or family associated with a "stream of a cock."

Cokburne: Where does the name Cokburne come from?

The surname Cokburne is of Old English origin and derives from the habitational name for people from Cocburne in Scotland. The place-name is composed of the Old English elements "coc," meaning "crock" or "jug," and "burne," meaning "stream."

The Cokburne surname today is most common in Scotland, England, and Australia. According to House of Names, the Cokburne surname ranks 11,226th in the United States. People with this surname are found in various places across the world.

Most Cokburne families likely have their origins in Scotland. As early as 1220, a de Cocburne held a charter of lands consisting of lands under Culross Abbey in Fife and the lands of Macvenzie near Renton in West Lothian. Throughout the centuries, various branches of the Cokburne family spread across Scotland.

The Cokburne surname spread to England where it remains prominent today. The surname can be found with varying spellings, such as Cockburne, Cokburn, Cobbourn, and Coburn.

Today, Cokburne families can also be found in other Commonwealth countries like Australia and Canada, as well as in some other countries such as the United States, Germany, and even Panama. People with the Cokburne surname, regardless of where they are from, are part of a large and widespread family whose history stretches back centuries.

Variations of the surname Cokburne

Common variants, spellings and surnames of Cokburne include Cochburne, Cochburn, Cockburn, Cocburn, Cockbourne, Cockburne, Cockbourn, Cocbourn, Cockburns, Cocburne and Kockburne.

The surname derives from 11th century Scotland and originated with the people of the barony of Cockburn in Berwickshire, Scotland. Descendents of this noble family typically have the surname which is sometimes spelled with a ‘C’ or ‘K’ and sometimes with an ‘e’.

The Clan Cockburn motto is ‘Accendit Cantu’ which translates to ‘He8Raiseth the Song’ and was derived from a 16th-century Irish song which honoured Robert, 2nd Baron of Cockburn. The family's motto is indicative of the family's passion for music and song, and is still used on many family coat of arms.

The Cockburn surname can be traced in Scotland from the 11th century to the present day. It is a common surname in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, England, and is also found in Ireland. In Australia, Cockburn is the most frequent spelling used. Records of the Cockburn surname and variants can be found in historical documents throughout the British Isles as well as in other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Cokburne

• Aaron and Jason Cokburne: identical twin actors, popular for their roles in the classic “American Pie” movie franchise.
• Wilbur Cokburne: veteran blacksmith and craftsman who has created many sharp-edged tools and weapons for reenactment events all around Europe.
• Adam Cokburne: a famous painter known for his modern depictions of nature.
• Ashley Cokburne: a distinguished political scientist who is best known for her analyses on the impact of poverty on social interaction.
• Hillary Cokburne: an award-winning singer-songwriter who has received critical acclaim for her albums.
• Edward Cokburne: an acclaimed chef who specializes in combining cuisines from different parts of the world.
• Nancy Cokburne: a renowned sculptor known for her exquisite, emotive marble works depicting spiritual journeys.
• Jessica Cokburne: award-winning children’s author of books such as “The Magic Shoe” and “The Pirate’s Tale”
• Michael Cokburne: a successful Broadway director who is most known for his hit production of “The Tempest”.
• Elizabeth Cokburne: a celebrated actress well-known for her roles in numerous films and television shows.

Other surnames

Cokburn